I've had them for a little over a month now, so they're still working great. If my skull candy headphones give out, I'll try the ones you recommended nydubber. I prefer around ear headphones though. I'll let you know how mine hold up!

I use Extreme Isolation. Get them from ebay, or local music store (maybe). Not only do they protect your hearing well, listen to your favourite songs with them and you start hearing stuff you have never heard before, "the little things".

I own both pairs of Vic Firth headphones. The ones designed for just dampening noises and the ones that work like headphones. The best way I have found to do it is buy the cheap, regular Vic Firth heaphones, and just run cheap iPod (or generic) ear buds underneath.

The problem with the powered vic firth cans are that:1. They are not as comfortable2. They actually block out less noise3. You need a beefy headphone amp to power them

In many cases, my consumer source (-10dbV iPod) can not power them adequately

Plus you can use the earbuds you already own and like with my method.

I have been doing it that way for five years and my ears have thanked me